Society set to take the reins at centre

It's going to be a busy Spring period for Buchanhaven Heritage Society.

Published:09:41Monday 01 June 2015

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Buchan councillors are set to approve the community asset transfer of Buchanhaven community centre to the village’s heritage society.

The move will be discussed at a meeting of the Buchan area committee in Peterhead on Tuesday.

The community centre on the town’s Ugie Road has not been fully utilised by Aberdeenshire Council for a number of yars and is in need of refurbishment.

Buchanhaven Heritage Society is development a community hub in relation to the heritage of the original fishing village of Buchanhaven.

The group intends to fully refurbish the building. Once complete, the centre will be fully accessible and available to groups and organisations to undertake a wide range of activities.

The group intends to organise classes on a wide range of subjects identified by the community, as well as acting as a signposting service to other organisations in relation to social inclusion issues, welfare needs and general health and wellbeing.

Councillors will hear that the society has managed the centre for two years and has built the reputation of the centre and its team, making it a venue of choice across a wide spectrum of age and wealth.

The society has 12 board members with a variety of skills and experience and eight volunteers working in the centre.

In a report to Tuesday’s meeting, planning chief Stephen Archer says: “The development and management of the centre will be undertaken by the existing board members.

“They will oversee the refurbishment project and employ local contractors to undertake the work.”

The community asset transfer would support a number of local policy objectives.

“However, it is important to note that a key objective of the Buchan Local Community Plan is to build successful, inclusive and resilient communities with the confidence, capability and capacity to tackle things that matter to them,” says Mr Archer.

Councillors are recommended to agree that Buchanhaven Heritage Society is an appropriate body with which to enter into a community transfer agreement.